April 7, 2009

Council Gives Green Light to San Leandro Crossings and $500K to Davis Street

A capacity crowd filled the City Council Chambers on April 6, 2009, as the San Leandro City Council approved financing for the San Leandro Crossings (now Cannery Court) project by a vote of 4 to 3. The City Council unanimously approved a resolution committing $500,000 to help the Davis Street Family Resource Center purchase its property at 3801 Teagarden Street. A 10% rate hike for Alameda County Industries was approved with Councilmember Bill Stephens abstaining.

After honoring long-time commissioner Frank Sidari and installing new commissioners, Mayor Tony Santos shuffled the agenda to address the items that the crowd was interested in: San Leandro Crossings and Davis Street. After a presentation by Tom Liao, Bridge Housing's Lydia Tan advocated against a project labor agreement for the affordable housing project while labor advocate Barry Luboviski of the Alameda County Building Trades Council and other argued in support of an agreement. While the entire Council express support for the affordable housing project, Councilmember Joyce Starosciak argued to approve the financing agreement without requiring a project labor agreement that might delay the project. The financing agreement was approved by a vote of four to three, with Councilmembers Jim Prola, Ursula Reed and Santos, who supported a project labor agreement, voting against.

For Davis Street, the first time the request for financial assistance was on the City Council's agenda, it was narrowly defeated in a four to three vote. After a subsequent meeting of the finance committee, the measure passed unanimously after a motion to modify the agreement by Councilmember Souza was rejected.

A request by ACI to increase it rates by 10% was passed with six votes and an abstention by Councilmember Bill Stephens.